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Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays for improving recovery following tonsillectomy

Overview of attention for article published in Cochrane database of systematic reviews, July 2011
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Title
Oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays for improving recovery following tonsillectomy
Published in
Cochrane database of systematic reviews, July 2011
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd007806.pub3
Pubmed ID
Authors

Fedorowicz, Zbys, Al-Muharraqi, Mohammed A, Nasser, Mona, Al-Harthy, Nutayla, Carter, Ben

Abstract

This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 1, 2010.Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of lymphoid tissue, the palatine tonsil, which is located at the back of the throat. It is still commonly performed for patients who have recurrent bouts of acute tonsillitis. Although tonsillectomy is considered a fairly minor procedure, pain and bleeding are two of the most common complications; either may delay recovery and can on occasion lead to hospital readmission. Postoperative tonsillectomy medication should provide an adequate reduction in morbidity while minimising side effects, therefore topical agents would seem to be an ideal, safe option. A number of mouthwashes and topical sprays are available which offer pain relief or can help to reduce bleeding in the immediate postoperative period. To assess the effects of oral rinses, mouthwashes and sprays in improving recovery following tonsillectomy. We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; BIOSIS Previews; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ICTRP and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 22 April 2011. We included randomised controlled trials in which mouthwashes, used pre- and postoperatively, have been compared with placebo. Two review authors selected trials for inclusion, assessed the risk of bias and extracted data independently. We included six trials (528 participants; 397 children and 131 adults). The period of follow up ranged from 24 hours to two weeks. Few of the trials provided reliable data for the pre-specified primary outcomes and none for the secondary outcomes. Lidocaine spray appeared to be more effective than saline spray at reducing the severity of pain but only until the third postoperative day. A small number of participants experienced a burning or stinging sensation with benzydamine spray but not sufficient to discontinue usage. The risk of bias was high in most of the included trials and poor reporting quality and inadequate data did not permit comprehensive and reliable conclusions to be made. Future trials should be well-constructed and pay more attention to the methods used to assess outcomes, the timing of the assessments, and the quality of reporting and subsequent analysis of the data.

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Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 37 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
United Kingdom 1 3%
Unknown 36 97%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Researcher 5 14%
Student > Master 5 14%
Other 4 11%
Student > Doctoral Student 4 11%
Student > Bachelor 4 11%
Other 11 30%
Unknown 4 11%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Medicine and Dentistry 20 54%
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology 3 8%
Nursing and Health Professions 1 3%
Immunology and Microbiology 1 3%
Arts and Humanities 1 3%
Other 4 11%
Unknown 7 19%